Display device for house numbers and the like



J. MITCHELL` 2,511,411

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR HOUSE NUMBERS AND THE LIKE y `Iulne 13, 1950 FiledNov. 6, 1948 Patentecl .lune 13, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT G'FFICE2,511,411 DisPLaY DEVICE' Fon 'tionen NUMBERS AND THE LIKE .lohnMitchell, Chicago, ll. Attrici-tion November e, 194s, serial N6. 58,686claims. (cl. 40-132) This invention relates to a display device'forhouse numbers and the like, and relates particuiariy to an iiiumiiiate'ddispiay device.

Display devices for house numbers and the like are sometimes constructedof a base membervhaving' means thereon 'for attachingr number plates soVthat the correct number can be made by assembling a base plate and theproper nmber plates. Some of these display devices have included meansfor illuminatingA the numbers sol that they become visible atv night.The present invention is concerned withY an improved display devicecomprising a `base plate having at least one' opening therein, a numberplate ex'- tending across said opening and at least oneml proved holdingmember attached to the base plate and located adjacent to one edge ofthe number plate. This holding member includes a pair of yextendedfingers arranged on opposite sides ofthe number plate to preventYsubstantial lateral displacement thereof and a lip overlying vat least aportion of the side of the number plate that is opposite the base plateto prevent substantial displacement of the vnumber plate away fromy thebase plate. The holding member or members may be readily attached to thebase plate and will positively lock the number plates in position. Ifdesired, the number plate or plates may be' transparent ata portionthereof to denne a number. Where this type of plate is illuminated anelectric light may be located behind the base plate and number plate sothat the light Will shine through the transparent lJ'Ortion. y y s In apreferred construction, the base plate' is 'provided with a box-likestructure on the rear thereof having an open side normally closedby thebase plate. VThis box-like structure isl preferably removably held inplace by providing flanges on adjacent opposite sides of the base plate,with these flanges adapted to engage frictionally corresponding sides ofthe box-like structure and hold this structure and the base plate inassembled relationship. Where the display device iS illuminated, theilluminating means may be located within the box-like structure. In apreferred construction, this illuminating means comprises an electricbulb adapted to be held in a socket which is mounted on a clamp, withthis clamp` being held upon a na'nge located within the box-likestructure. The clamp may be a spring clamp and the flange may be formedof a tongue struck from the material of the boxlike structure. y

One of the features of this invention is to provide a display device forhouse numbers and the like comprising a base plate having at least oneopening therein together with a number plate extending across theopening and an improved holding member attached to the base plate forholding the number plate in position; another feature o'f the inventionis to provide such a structure wherein the rear side of the base plateis covered by a removable box-"like structure preferably held in placethereon by frictional engagement with a pair of flanges located on therear o'f the base plate; still another feature of invention isY theprovision of such a structore rwherein illuminating means are providedwithin the boX-lik'e 'structure for illuminating the numbers. Otherfeatures and advantages vof the invention will become apparent in thefollowing description 'of one embodiment thereof taken in cohjnc'tion'with the accompanying drawings. @if theY rawirl" 1 i n Fig; 1 is a frnt elevation of a display device for' house numbers and the likeembodying the invention. w n

Fig'. 2 iS a longitudinal Section taken through tiiefieviee of Fig'. 1and looking' toward the rear sr'faee's of the nu'mberplates and the baseplate.

Fig. 3 a nsection taken along line 3 3 of Fig". .2z p

Figi: 4 is a section taken along line i4 of Fkig; 2. 4

5 1S af th likfl al'lg lille 5;"-5 f Fig- 2';

display device shown in the accompanying dra'wingsv comprises abasesplate Il)v having a plurality of spaced openings' lila thereinarranged sfide byside iorigitudinauy of the plate |01, and a pluralityof number plates Il with each number plate positioned across an openingand having marginal portions extehding over the mar'- 'ginalareas' o fthe base plate that are around the openings. The openings Illa havetheir top edges substantially aligned and their bottom edges alsosubstantially aligned'. Each number plate Il is positioned against therear surface of the base plate le' and is soy held that the numeral por-'tionll thereof is Visible through the corresponding plate opening Illa.

The rear surface of the base plate I0 is pro*- vi'ded with a pair ofrearwardly extended flanges l2 arranged at substantially right anglest0' the base plate. Each ange is arranged adjacent the end edge of anopening Illa and the flanges are substantially parallel to each other.In order to locle the ndmber plates Il in position, there are'provided apair of holding members I3 adiacent the top and bottom edges of thenumber plates II. Each holding member I3 is preferably constructed of asingle piece of sheet metal and is provided with a plurality of lateralportions i3d with each lateral portion adapted t0 abut against theadjacent end of a number plate and prevent substantial displacement ofthe number plate in a direction toward the holding member, Each holdingmember is also provided with a plurality of extended ngers I3b with eachnger being positioned between an adjacent pair of number plates toprevent substantial lateral displacement of the number plates towardeach other. There is also provided a plurality of lips I3c on eachholding member I3, with each lip overlying a portion of the side of anumber plate that is opposite the base plate I to prevent substantialdisplacement of the number plate away from the base plate.

As is shown in the drawings, the lateral portions Id, extended fingerslab and lips I3c are made integral with the remainder of the holdingmember and the entire holding member including these portions may bemade from a single sheet metal stamping. Each holding member I3 y isalso provided with means for locking the holding member in place. In theembodiment shown, this locking means comprises a portion I3d on the endof the holding member with this portion extending through a slot in aflange I2 and then bent up against the iiange. This portion I3d preventslongitudinal movement of the holding member I3. In order to preventlateral movement there is provided another portion I3e on the inner sideof each holding member and bent around a small section 52a of metaldisplaced from a flange I2. The portion Ie locked around the section I2aprevents lateral displacement of the holding member I3 in a directionaway from the openings lila. Displacement of the holding member in adirection toward the openings is prevented by the portion i3d whichengages the slot in the flange I2.

Each ange I2 is provided with an inwardly directed pin I, upon which ismounted an annular resilient member i5. Each annular resilient member ispositioned against the inner surface of a ange I2 in contact with theadjacent edge of a number plate II. These resilient members are eachprovided with an annular groove I5a on the outer surface thereof so thatthey can be easily compressed. As these annular members bear against theend number plates, they permit considerable tolerances in the widths andlocation of the extended ngers I3b. In the embodiment shown, there areno fingers 13b adjacent the outer edges of the outer number plates II.Thus, the number plates in a series of display devices may be separatedby varying distances without harm as the resilient members I 5 alwaysbear against the outer edges of the end number plates.

In the embodiment shown, the display device includes a box-likestructure I6 having an open side normally closed by the base plate I0,as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive. This structure I@ is normally heldin place by frictional engagement of the ends la thereof with the nangesI2. In order to aid in maintaining this engagement, each end Ita isprovided with an opening IBb adapted to hold the outer rounded head ofthe pin Iii on which the annular resilient member I5 is mounted.

In the preferred construction, the number plates l l are made of glasswith the numeral portion Ila. of each number plate being raised, asshown in Fig. 5, and the areas surrounding the numeral portion beingcovered -with an opaque material such as black paint. The inner surfaceof each numeral portion IIa is preferably provided with a knobbedsurface, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, so as to provide for better lightdiffusion.

In order to illuminate the display device of this invention, there isprovided an electric light bulb Il within the box-like structure I6 andlocated substantially centrally thereof. This light bulb Il is held in asocket I8 mounted upon a spring clamp I9. This spring clamp is removablyheld on a flange 20, as shown in Fig. 4. This ange may be formed of atongue struck from the material which comprises the rear wall of thebox-like structure I5. The socket I8 is provided with an electric cord2l extending through an opening at the bottom of the boxlike structureI6 with this opening preferably being provided with a rubber grommet 22.

In order that the display device may be suspended from a wall or otherbase member, there is provided a. hole through the rear wall of thebox-like structure I6 with this hole being located substantially midwaybetween the ends of the structure and near the top thereof. In apreferred construction, this hole is provided with a rubber grommet 23.A nail or other suspending means may be used with this suspending meansextending through the opening in the grommet.

From the above description of one embodiment of the invention, it isbelieved apparent that the invention provides a relatively simpledisplay device in which one or a plurality of number plates are held soas to make an easily visible number. In the embodiment shown, fourseparate number plates are employed to display a number having fournumerals. The same device, however, could be employed to display one,two, or three numerals. If less than four numerals were used, thoseopenings Illa. which were not used to hold a number plate could beclosed by a light impervious plate. Thus, with the device of thisinvention, as many numerals may be provided as desired by providing abase plate having the required number of openings therein. Any number ofnumerals smaller than the maximum could be employed by merely closingolf the unwanted openings.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes,therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed inthe'appended claims.

I claim:

1. A display device for house numbers and the like, comprising: a baseplate having a Iplurality of spaced openings therein arranged side byside and extending longitudinally of the plate, said openings having oneof their ends substantially aligned, and said base plate having a flangeopposite each end of the series of aligned openings with both flangesbeing on the same side of the base plate, each of said flanges beingadjacent an end opening; a Iplurality of number plates with each numberplate positioned across an opening and having marginal portionsextending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening,said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate assaid flanges and located between said anges; and a holding memberlocated against the base plate and adjacent said aligned ends of theopenings, said holding member including a plurality of lateral portionseach adapted to abut against the adjacent end of one of said number"plates and prevent Substantial displacement of the number plate in adirection toward the holding member, a, plurality of extended lingersadjacent the edges of said number plates with a linger being locatedbetween an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateraldisplacementl thereof toward each other, and lips with each lipoverlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that isopposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement f s aid/number plate away from the base plate, 'and said holding memberincluding an end portion extending through an opening in a iiange andbent up to prevent longitudinal displacement ofthe member and alateralp'ortion bent around an extended portion on said flange toprevent lateral displacement of vSaid member'.

2. A display device 'for house numbers and the like, comprising: a baseplate having a plurality of spaced openings therein arranged side byside and extending longitudinally of the plate, said openings having oneof their ends substantially aligned, and said base plate having a flangeopposite each end of the series of aligned openings with both flangesbeing on the same side of the base plate, each of said lianges beingadjacent an end opening; a plurality of number plates with each numberplate positioned across an opening and having marginal portionsextending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening,said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate assaid iianges and located between said iianges; a holding member attachedto said flanges and located against the base plate and adjacent saidaligned ends of the openings, said holding member including a pluralityof lateral portions each adapted to abut against the adjacent end of oneof said number plates and prevent substantial displacement of the numberplate in a direction toward the holding member, a plurality of extendedlingers adjacent the edges of said number plate with a finger beinglocated between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantiallateral displacement thereof toward each other, and lips with each lipoverlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that isopposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement of saidnumber Iplate away from the base plate; and a resilient member attachedto each flange and bearing against the adjacent side of the adjacentnumber plate.

3. A display device for house numbers and the like, comprising: a baseplate having a plurality of spaced openings therein arranged side byside and extending longitudinally of the plate, said openings havingtheir top and bottom ends substantially aligned, and said base platehaving a iiange o-pposite each end of the series of aligned openingswith both flanges being on the same side of the base plate, each of saidiianges being adjacent an end opening; a plurality of number plates witheach number plate positioned across an opening and having marginalportions extending over marginal portions of the base plate around saidopening, said number plates being located on the same side of said baseplate as said iianges and located between said flanges; and a pair ofholding members attached to said flanges and located against the baseplate and adjacent each series of said aligned ends of the epenihgs,each of said aoidig members intiem ing a plurality of lateral portionseach adapted to abut against the adjacent end of one of said numberplates and prevent substantial displacement of the number plate in adirection toward the holding member, a plurality of exteided fingersadjacent the edges of said number plate with a finger being locatedbetween an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateraldisplacement thereof toward leach other, and lips'r with each lipoverlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that oppositethe base plate toprevent substantial displacement of said number plateaway from the base plate l ,l

4. A display device for house numbers and the like, lcomprisingi a b aseplate having apluality of spaced openings therein arranged side by sideand extending' longitudinally lof the plate, said openings having theirAtop and bottrn ends substantially aligned, and said b'as'e plate ha inga flange opposite each end f the series of aligned openings with bothflanges being on the same side of the base plate, each of said flangesbeing adjacent an end opening; a plurality of number plates with eachnumber plate positioned across an opening and having marginal portionsextending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening,said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate assaid anges and located between said flanges; a pair of holding memberslocated against the base plate and adjacent each series of said alignedends of the openings, each of said holding members including a pluralityof lateral portions each adapted to abut against the adjacent end of oneof said number plates and prevent substantial displacement of the numberplate in a direction toward the holding member, a plurality of extendediingers adjacent the edges of said number plate with a finger beinglocated between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantiallateral dsplacement thereof toward each other, and lips with each lipoverlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that isopposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement of saidnumber plate away from the base plate, said holding members including anend portion extending through an opening in each ange and bent up toprevent longitudinal displacement of the member and Ia lateral portionbent around an extended portion on each flange to prevent lateraldisplacement of said member; and a resilient member attached to eachflange and bearing against the adjacent side of the adjacent numberplate.

5. An illuminated display device for house numbers and the like,comprising: a base plate having a plurality of spaced openings thereinarranged side by side and extending longitudinally of the plate, saidopenings having one of their ends substantially aligned, and said baseplate having a flange opposite each end of the series of alignedopenings with both flanges being on the same side of the base plate,each of said flanges being adjacent an end opening; a plurality ofnumber plates with each number plate positioned across an opening andhaving marginal portions extending over marginal portions of the baseplate around said opening, said number plates being located on the sameside of said base plate as said flanges and located between saidflanges, said number plates being transparent at a portion thereofdefining a numeral; a pair of holding members located against the baseplate and adjacent each series of said aligned ends of the openings,each of said holding members including a plurality of lateral portionseach adapted to abut against the adjacent end of a number plate andprevent substantial displacement of the number plate in .a directiontoward the holding member, a plurality of extended lingers adjacent theedges of said number plates with a finger being located between anadjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateraldisplacement thereof toward each other, and lips with each lip overlyingat least a portion of the side of a number plate that is opposite thebase plate to prevent substantial displacement of said number plate awayfrom the base plate, said holding members including an end portionextending through an opening in each ange and bent up to preventlongitudinal displacement of the member and a lateral portion bentaround an extended portion on each flange to prevent lateraldisplacement of said member; a resilient member attached to each angeand bearing against the adjacent side of the adjacent number plate; an

electric light bulb Within said structure; a socket therefor; a springclamp upon which said socket is mounted; and a flangel within saidstructure upon which said clamp is removably held, said flange beingformed of a tongue struck from said box-like structure.

JOHN MITCHELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

